Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Are you familiar with some of the following questions? Are we there yet? Is it finally over? When can we leave? Can I just have a break? Maybe we have heard a child asking those questions. Maybe we have asked those questions or similar ones. Let’s sit with these questions for a little bit as well as St. Paul’s words to the Philippians.
The above questions could come from impatience or restlessness but, greater than that, I think they come from the innate knowledge that we are made for peace. That we will experience true rest, contentment and wholeness. As Christians, we believe that the end of our earthly life is far bigger than merely dying. The end of our time in this existence leads us to our end -- as in our purpose, our endgame, our fulfillment and completion. St. Paul recognized this when he wrote about being torn between life and death. Imagine if we all had his faith. But there is more to this reading than wishing we believed like St. Paul.
A practical lesson is before us as well. Certainly, Paul expressed his desire to experience the fullness of life in the presence of the Lord. Additionally, he acknowledged that as long as he lives on this earth, he’s got work to do. He has a mission and a purpose. He has the people of God to serve, to build up, and to encourage so that he can be reunited with them in the next life.
Paul first challenged us in our view of eternal life. Do we long for God like the Psalmist in today's Psalm? Then,as he equates living with mission, he lays down the challenging answer for when our earlier questions. develop a faith aspect. When we want to ask if we are done growing as a disciple of peace, mercy, truth, charity and justice. Paul answers us with, “If you’re still breathing, God can still work through you..”
Let us pray for the faith that allows us to not fear death. Let’s also allow each breath to remind us that God always has plans for how to work through us.